WEBVTT rt♪>> THIS IS A SPECIAL PROGRAM OFHEARST TELEVISION, PRESENTED BFUTURES OF PALM BEACH.RIGHT NOW, "MATTER OF FACT --STATE OF ADDICTION."rtTIFFANY: GOOD EVENING.I'M TIFFANY KENNEY.MARK: AND I'M MARK KELLY.WITH THE HELP OF SOLEDADO'BRIEN, WE'RE HAVING A LIVENATIONAL CONVERSATION ABOUrtT THENUMBER ONE HEALTH CRISIS INAMERICA -- THE OPIOID EPIDEMIC.TIFFANY: ALL YEAR WE'VE REPORTEDON THE STATE OF ADDICTION IN OURCOMMUNITIES.THE rtLIVES LOST. THE FAMILIES DEVASTATED.MARK: TONIGHT, WE'RE LOOKING FORSOLUTIONS, TAKING A DEEP DIVEINTO WHAT IT WILL TAKE TO STEMTHE TIDE OF ADDICTION.rtTIFFANY: NOW WE GO LIVE TO THENEWSEUM IN WASHINGTON, DC, ANDOUR COLLEAGUE AND HOST OF"MATTER OF FACT," SOLEDADO'BRIEN.rtSOLEDAD?SOLEDAD: WE'RE GLAD TO BE WITHALL OF YOU TONIGHT AND HUMBLEDBY THE TASK WE'VE TAKEN ON.CONSIDER THIS -- TODAY IN OURrtCOUNTRY, AS MANY AS 650,000OPIOID PRESCRIPTIONS WEREDISPENSED.AND SADLY TODAY, AS MANY AS 175AMERICANS DIED FROM A DRUGrtOVERDOSE, WHETHER OPIOIDS, LIKEHEROIN, OR FENTANYL, OR THESYNTHETIC DRUGS EMERGING EVErtRYDAY.TONIGHT, WE HOPE TO HELP THENATION TURN A CORNER.THIS BROADCAST REACHES ACROSS 39STATES, WITH THE POTENTIAL TOTOUCH FAMILIES IN 21 MILLIONHOUSEHOLDS.rtOUR GOAL IS TO HELP CREATE ANATIONAL AGENDA FOR ACTION.WE'LL BE JOINED BY MEDICALEXPERTS AND POLICY MAKERS,PEOPLE IN POSITIONS TO MAKECHANGE HAPPEN WITH YOUR HELP.rtSO LET'S START IN A COMMUNITYDESPERATE FOR CHANGE.JESSICA GOMEZ REPORTS FROMMCDOWELL COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA,rtA STATE WHERE ONE PERSON DIESEVERY 10 HOURS FROM A DRUGOVERDOSErt♪JESSICA: ON A SUNDAY MORNING,THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL FINDPASTOR MARTIN WEST.rtDELIVERING A SERMON TO HIS RURALMCDOWELL COUNTY CHURCH.rtDURING THE WEEK, HE'S SHERIFFMARTIN WESrt>> THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DYING ISA LOT OF PRESSURE.JESSICA: MCDOWELL COUNTY -- ITWAS ONCE CALLED THEBILLION-DOLLAR COALFIELD.rt>> THE STREETS WERE CONSTANTLYLINED WITH PEOPLE.WE HAD THEATERS HERE.WE HAD THREE HOSPITALS HERE.JESSICA: THAT WAS THEN.rtMOST OF THE COAL MINING JOBSLEFT, AND SO DID THE PEOPL>> A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT STAYEDTRIED TO MAKE IT AND THINGS KEPTGETTING WORSE AND WORSE.rtTHE DRUG PROBLEM STARTEDESCALATINGJESSICA: THE JOBS THAT WERELEFT, INJURY-PRONE MINING ANDrtMANUAL LABOR, COUPLED WITH THEEMERGENCE OF POWERFUPRESCRIPTION PAIN MEDICATION --IT CREATED THE PERFECT STORM OFADDICTION.>> THE WORST PART OF IT ISWATCHING THEM DAILY.rtTHEIR LIFE JUST DRAIN FROM THEM.JESSICA: IVONNE CHURCH'S SON WASPRESCRIBED THE PAINKILLEROXrtYCONTIN AFTER NEARLY CUTTINGOFF HIS THUMB IN A CONSTRUCTIONACCIDENT.HE WAS HOOKED.ONE NOVEMBER MORNING, SHE FOUNDHIM ON HER DOORSTEP.SHE HAD TRIED EVERYTHING.rt>> WHEN I FOUND MY SON, THEREWAS A SMILE ON HIS FACE, AND ITHURT.BECArtUSE WHATEVER THIS DRUG ISTHAT PUTS A SMILE ON SOMEBODY'SFACE WHEN THEY ARE DYING, WHAT AHOLD IT HAS ON A PERSON.rtJESSICA: STEPHEN KISSINGER, ANADDICT IN RECOVERY, KNOWS THATHOLD SHE'S TALKING ABOUT.>> IT BECOMES NUMBER ONE IN YOURLIFE.YOU CAN'T GErtT OUT OF BED.YOU CAN'T GET UP AND GO FIX ACUP OF COFFEE IF YOU AIN'T GOTONE.IT CONSUMES YOUR WHOLE LIFE.rtNOTHING ELSE MATTERS.JESSICA: KISSINGER WAITED THREErtMONTHS TO GET INTO SOUTHERNHIGHLANDS, ONE OF ONLY A COUPLEOUTPATIENT TREATMENT CENTERS INTHE COUNTY.THERE ARE FUNERAL HOMES HERE,BUT NO LONG-TERM REHABILITATIONrtFACILITIES.KISSINGER'S BROTHERS DIDN'T MAKEIT.HE'S NOW WORRIED ABOUT HIS KIDS.rt>> IT'S A WAY OF LIFE FOR SOMEOF THESE CHILDREN, THEIR BROTHERIS AN ADDICT OR THEIR MOM IS ANADDICT.SO MANY CHILDREN ARE REMOVEDrtFROM THEIR HOMES OR PLACED INTOFOSTER CARE OR DOTCHIN.>> WHEN YOU SIGN IN, YOU HAVE TOHAVE IDENTIFICATION.JESSICA:rt AT LINDA MCKINNEY'SFOOD BANK, SHE OFTEN SEESGRANDPARENTS RAISINGGRANDCHILDREN, THEIR OWNCHILDREN ADDICTED, IN JAIL, ORDEAD.IN THE POOREST COUNTY IN THErtSTATE, NOW, NEARLY 50% OFCHILDREN DON'T LIVE WITH ABIOLOGICAL PAREN>> I SAID, WrtHAT IS GOING ONHERE?WHERE ARE THESE BABIES GOING TOGO?WHO HAS THE ANSWER?JESSICA: A COMMUNITY IN CRISIS.SHERIFF WEST FINALLY HAD ENOUGH.rtWITH HELP FROM LAW FIRMS INCHARLESTON, SHERIFF WESPEARHEADED THE COUNTY'S LAWSUITAGAINST THrtREE OF THE LARGESTPRESCRIPTION DRUG DISTRIBUTORS,CLAIMING PROFIT AND GREEDMOTIVATED THEM TO IGNORE LAWSREQUIRING THEM TO REPORTrtSUSPICIOUS ORDERS -- THIS, WHILEFLOODING COUNTY PHARMACIES WITHMILLIONS OF PILLS, WELL INEXCESS OF WHATEVER WOULD BELEGITIrtMATELY NEEDED.>> THE LITTLE GUY IS JUST NOTGOING TO BACK DOWN.IT IS A LITTLE COUNTY.NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE.BUT THEY ARE NOT JUST GOING TOrtROLL OVER IN BE A VICTIM OFTHESE ENTITIES ANY LONGER.>> THANK YOU FOR SHARIrtNG THATINFORMATION WITH ME.JESSICA: MEANTIME, THE STATE OFWEST VIRGINIA, WHICH CREATED AHOTLINE CONNECTING ADDICTS TOTHE CLOSEST TREATMENT OPTIONS,IS TAKING PROPOSALS ON WHERE TOSPEND DOLLARS IT WON FROM ASIMILAR LAWSUIT.rt>> I BURIED THREE OF ONE FAMILJESSICA: SHERIFF WEST, WHO HASLOST EXACT COUNT OF THE NUMBERrtOF FUNERALS OVER WHICH HE'rtPRESIDED, SAYS THE HELP IS NOTCOMING FAST ENOUGH.>> THEY KEEP TELLING ME, MORECOMMISSIONS.I SAY, PEOPLE ARE DYING NOW.WE NEED HELP RIGHT NOW.JESSICA: PRAYER.rtSOMETIMES IT FEELS LIKE HIS ONLYOPTION, AND PUBLICLY CALLING OUTSTATE LAWMAKERS HE SAYS HAVEFAILED HIS COUNTY.>> WHEN WE WERE THEBILLION-DOLLAR COALFIELDS,rtEVERYONE STUCK BY FOR A HANDOUT.NOW THAT WE ARE IN DESPERATENEED, WE ARE BEING LEFT OUTBECAUSE NO ONE IN CHARLESTONCARES.GOD FORGIVE THErt STATE OF WESTVIRGINIA AND GOD SAVE THE COUNTYOF MCDOWELL.JESSICA: IN MCDOWELL COUNTY, FOR"MATTER OF FACT," I'M JESSICAGOMEZ.rtSOLEDAD: THANK YOU, JESS.WE INVITED THErt PHARMACEUTICALCOMPANIES NAMED IN THE LAWSUITSTO PARTICIPATE IN OUR SHOW BUTTHEY DECLINED.WE RECEIVED STATEMENTS FROM SOMESAYING, IN GENERAL, THEY BELIEVErtTHE LAWSUITS ARE MISGUIDEDBECAUSE THEY AREN'T THE ONESACTUALLY PRESCRIBING THE DRUGS.MANY PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTRYARE GRIEVING THE LOSS OF A LOVEDONE AND STRUGGLING WITH THErtSTIGMA OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITHTHESE DEATHS.SO TONIGHT, WE'RE ASKING YOU TOHELP US BUILD A VIRTUAL WALL OFREMEMBRANCE ON SOCIAL MEDIAUSING #STATEOFADDICTION.rtSHARE A PICTURE, A VIDEO, ASTORY, A TRIBUTE TO SOMEONE YOUWANT TO REMEMBER FOR THEIR LIFE,NOT THEIR STRUGGLE.rtAND WE HOPE IF YOU HAVE A STORYOF HOPE, YOU WOULD POST THAT ASWELL.>> THERE'rtS SOMETHING REALLYWRONG WITH MY BEAUTIFUL21-YEAR-OLD SON.DYING.SOLEDAD: WHAT DOES IT TAKE TOLOOSEN THE GRIP OF THESE DRUGSON OUR CHILDrtREN?AND A REALITY-BASED DISCUSSION-- HOW TO GET HELP FOR THOSE WHONEED IT.TIFFANY: AND HERE IN SOUTHFLORIDA, PEOPLE ARE TAKINGADVANTAGE OFrt ADDICTION.MARK: THE WAY SOME SOBER HOMEOWNERS ARE SELLING PATIENTS TOPOCKET CASH.YOU'RE WATCHING "MATTER OF FACT-- STATE OF ADDICTION."rtrt♪SOLEDAD: WELCOME BACK TO "MATTERrtOF FACT -- STATE OF ADDICTION."IF YOU'VE EVER WONDERED IFADDICTION rtA CHOICE OR A CHANCE,THERE'S PROOF IT CAN BEGIN WITHA SINGLE PILL.RESEARCHERS FOR THE CDC FOUNDTHAT OF THE PEOPLE GIVEN AONE-DAY OPIOID PRESCRIPTION,ONLY A SINGLE DAY, 6% WILL GETHOOKED.THE NUMBER DOUBLES WHEN THEPRESCRIPTIONrt IS FOR EIGHT DAYSOR MORE.A 30-DAY PRESCRIPTION PUSHES THERISK EVEN HIGHER, WITH 30% OFPATIENTS LIKELY BECOMINGrtADDICTED.SO, HOW DO YOU EFFECTIVELY TREATPEOPLE ONCE THEY ARE DEPENDANT?IT'S A QUESTION THAT WILL HAUNTONE MOTHER FOREVER. rt>> WHAT SPORTS DID HE PLAY?>> SNOWBOARDING ANDSKATEBOARDING.HE REALLY LIKED PUSHING HIMSELF.HE LIKED THE EXTREME.rt>> CHRIS' LOVE OF EXTREME SPORTSWOULD BE HIS DOWNFALL.rtHE TORE HIS MENISCUSSNOWBOARDING AT AGE 15, WHICLED TO A SERIES OF KNEESURGERIES AND A rtBATTLE WITHDEPRESSION.EACH TIME HE WAS GIVEN OPIOIDSTO KILL THE PAIN.A YEAR LATER, HIS MOTHER HADDISCOVERED HE HAD BEGUN TO USEHEROIN.>> HOW MANY TIMES WAS CHRIS INAND OUT OF REHAB?rt>> AT LEAST SIX TIMES.>> DESPERATE, HIS MOTHER FINALLYFOUND SOMETHING THAT SEEMED TOrtWORK BETTER THAN THE EXPENSIVEREHABILITATION PROGRAMS, ATREATMENT THAT COULD BREAK CHRISFREE FROM HIS ADDICTION.rtSOLEDAD: SO HE WAS ON VIVITROLIN 2016, YOU SAID.rt>> YES, THE BEGINNING OF MARCH.SOLEDAD: HOW LONG DID HE USE ITSUCCESSFULLY?>> FOR A YEAR.SOLEDAD: FOR A FULL YEAR,MEDICATION KEPT THE NOW21-YEAR-OLD OFF OF HEROIN.rtFOR THE FIRST TIME IN FIVEYEARS, THE MEDICATION HE WASTAKING, VIVITROL, REPRESSED HISCRAVING FOR DRUGS.>> THEY SIT ON THE MEDrtICINESHELVES, COLLECTING DUST.WE ARE UNABLE TO GET THEM TO THEPATIENT HERE -- PATIENT.rtSOLEDAD: DR. STEPHEN ROSS IS THEDIRECTOR OF ADDICTION PSYCHIATRYAT BELLEVUE HOSPITAL IN NEWYORK.>> IT COMES IN A FILM VERSIONTHAT GOES ON YUR TONGUE.IT IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSETHERE'S A LOT OF GOODTREATMENTS, BUT THE VASTrtMAJORITY OF PEOPLE NEVER GETSOLEDAD: THE SURGEON GENERALESTIMATES THAT ONE IN 10SUBSTANCE ABUSERS ARE GETTINGANY TREATMENT AT ALL, AND JUSTONE IN FOUR OF THOSE ARE GETTINGTHESE LIFE-SAVING MEDICATIONS.rt>> YOU HAD PSYCHOLOGIST,PSYCHIATRISTS, REHAB SPECIALISTSIN SIX DIFFERENT PLACES.rtDID AT ANY TIME ANY OF THEM SAY,YOU KNOW, THERE'S EVIDENCE THATTAKING DRUGS WILL HELP INrtKICKING THIS ADDICTION?>> WELL, ACTUALLY, THE DOCTOR ATHIS LAST REHAB WAS THE ONE THATSAID WE SHOULD GET HIM ONrtVIVITROL.SOLEDAD: DR. HERD IS THE HEAD OFTHE CENTER FOR ADDICTIVEDISORDERS AT MOUNT SINAI MEDICALCENTER, AND STUDIES HOW DRUGSrtAFFECT THE BRAIN>> HEORIN ABUSE IS A WHOLE BRArtINDISORDER.THERE ARE SPECIFIC CIRCUITS, BUTIT IS A WHOLE BRAIN DISORDER.THE OPIOID TREATMENTS, THEYINTERACT WITH OPIOID RECEPTORS,SO THE PERSON DOESN'T CRAVE ANDrtNEED THE HEROIN, OR OTHERADDICTIVE DRUGS.SOLEDAD: AN ESTIMATED 40% OFTHOSE ON MEDICATION-ASSISTEDTHERAPIES WILL STILL RELAPSE,BUT THE RATE OF RELAPSE INPROGRAMS WITHOUT DRUG THERrtAPYREACHES AS HIGH AS 90%.>> ABSTINENCE, TWELVE-STEPrtPROGRAMS, I THINK AA WORKS FOR ALOT OF PEOPLE, BUT FOR ArtTEENAGER, THEY JUST DON'T GET --THEY ARE NOT THERE.SOLEDAD: A YEAR INTO HISTREATMENT, CHRIS MOVED TOFLORIDA FOR A NEW JOB AND AFRESH START.THERE, HE FOUND FEW DOCTORSCERTIFIED TO ADMINISTER THEDRUGrt, AND JUST ONE ON HISINSURANCE.CHRIS MISSED HIS MONTHLY SHOT.rt>> SO WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DON'TGET YOUR SHOT OF VIVITROL IN AMONTH?>> SOMEONE IS ON VIVITROL, THEYMISS THEIR SHOT, THE BRAINBECOMES SErtNSITIVE TO OPIATESAGAIN.THEY RELAPSE.THEIR MEMORY WAS TO USE HOWEVERrtMANY BAGS, AND THEN THEY DIE.SOLEDAD: 20 DAYS AFTER MISSINGHIS MONTHLY DOSE, CHRIS RELAPSEDAND DIED OF AN APPARENTOVERDOSE.rt>> I'VE TRIED SO MANY OTHERTHINGS, LIKE THE NORMAL ROUTE OFDOCTORS, HOSPITALS, THERAPIES,REHABS, AND NONE OF THEM SEEM TOBErt THE RIGHT ROUTE.THERE'S SOMETHING REALLY WRONGWITH MY BEAUTIFUL 21-YEAR-OLDrtSON, DYING.SOLEDAD: THE RESPONSIBILITY OFCONFRONTING THE OPIOID EPIDEMICFALLS IN PART ON LOCAL HEALTHCOMMISSIONERS.rtDR. LEANA WEN IS THE HEALTHCOMMISSIONER FOR THE CITY OFBALTIMORE.AS AN EMERGENCY ROOM PHYSICIAN,rtDR. WEN ISSUED A BLANKETPRESCRIPTION FOR NALOXONE, THEOPIOID ANTIDOTE, TO ALLRESIDENTS OF BALTIMORE.rtNICE TO HAVE YOU WITH US, THANKYOU FOR JOINING ME.>>rt I HAVE SEEN A SOMEONE WHO ISOVERDOSING IN ABOUT TO DIE WOULDBE WALKING IN TALKING WITHINSECONDS OF GETTING NARCAN.rtIT SHOULD NOT JUST BE FIRSTWE HAVE DON'T OVER 25,000TRAININGS IN TWO YEARS AND AS ARESULTrt EVERYTHING -- WE HAVE SAVED THE LIVES OFTHOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS.SOLEDAD: THAT IS REVIVAL BUT NOTrtREALLY TREATMENT.ARE YOU TREATING FROM THE WRONGEND OF THE SPECTRUM?DR. WEN: WErt TREAT ADDICTION HESAME WAY WE TREAT ANY OTHERDISEASE.IDEALLY WE PRESENT SOMEONE FROMHAVING HEART DISEASErt IN FIRSTPLACE BUT IF SOMEONE IS DYINGFROM A HEART ATTACK RIGHT NOW ITIS OUR JOBS TO SAVE THEIR LIVESRIGHT NOW.IF WE DON'T GET PEOPLE ON NALArtXONE TODAY, THERE'S NO CHANCE OFA BETTER TOMORROW.SOLEDAD: PRESIDENT TRUMPDECLARED THE OPIOID WAS ANATIONAL CRISIS IN THIS COUNTRY,BUT HE HASN'T SIGNED ANY KIND OFrtOFFICIAL ORDER THAT HE WOULDSEND TO CONGRESS.HOW WOULD THOSE FUNDS HELP?DR. WEN: WE DESPERATELY NEEDRESOURCES.WE ARE OUT OF MONEY FORNArtLOXONE.WE HAVE TO RATION THISLIFE-SAVING MODIFICATION AND WEHAVE TO DECIDE EVERY DAY WHOGETS IT INTO DOES NOT.WErt DESPERATELY NEED MONEY FORTREATMENT AS WELL.ACROSS THE COUNTRY ONLY ONE IN10 PEOPLE WITH THE DISEASE OFADDICTION CAN GET THE HELP THEYNEED.I HAVE TO TELL PATIENTS TOrt WAITWEEKS OR MONTHS TO GET THETREATMENT THEY DESPERATELY NEED.SOLEDAD: ARE YOU SEEING ANYPOSITIVE TREND?rtONE IN 10 IS AN INSANE NUMBERWHEN YOU CONSIDER WE HAVE BEENTHINKING ABOUT THIS CRISIS FOR20 YEARS.DR. WEN: WE WOULD NEVER FIND ITrtACCEPTABLE FOR ANY OTHER CRISIS.YOU WOULD NEVER SAY ONLY ONE IN10 CANCER PATIENTS CAN GETCHEMOTHERAPY.BUT THE CONVERSATION ISCHANGING.WHAT IS HOLDING US BACrtK TO THESTIGMA.STIGMA KILLS.WE HAVE TO FIGHT STIGMA WITHEVIDENCE AND SCIENCE.SOLEDAD: THANK YOU VERY MUCH FORJOINING ME.rtWE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.STILL AHEAD, QUESTIONS FOR THEDEA.>> WHO ARE THEY INVESTIGATING,HOW ARE THEY GrtOING AFTER THIS?SOLEDAD: ARE THEY DOING ENOUGHTO STOP THE FLOW OF DRUGS INTOTHE COUNTRY?MARK: AMERICA IS ON A HIGH, ANDIN FLORIDA, EVERY 2.5 HOURS,SOMEONE DIES FROM AN OPIOIDrtOVERDOSE.TIFFANY: I HIT THE STREETS WITHPOLICE AS THEY TRY TO SAVEPEOPLE FROM OVERDOSING. YOU'RE WATCHING "MATTER OF FACT-- STATE OF ADDICTION."rt♪rtSOLEDAD: WE'RE TALKING ABOUTSOLUTIONS AND GUIDELINES IN THEMEDICAL COMMUNITY NECESSARY TOCOMBAT AMERICA'S OPIOIDADDICTION.rtWE ARE GOING TO PICK UP THATCONVERSATION IN JUST A MOMENT.BUT FIRST I WANT TO GIVE ATHANKS TO EVERYONE HELPING BUILDOUR WALL OF REMEMBRANCE ONLINEUSING #STATEOFADDICTrtION.TONYA BRYANT SHARES THIS WITHUS.WILLARD BRYANT JUNIOR, YOU WERErtTHE BEST LITTLE BROTHER AND SONTO OUR PARENTS.WE MISS YOU.rtTHANK YOU FOR SHARING THOSE.WE WANT TO HONOR YOUR LOVEDrtONES OR SHARE A STERIC -- STORYOF HOPE.USE #STATEOFADDICTION.SO, DID HEALTH OFFICIALS FAIL TORECOGNIZE THE SCOPE OF OPIOIDADDICTION BEFORE IT BECAME ANEPIDEMIC?WE CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION NOWrtWITH DR. KELLY CLARK, PRESIDENTOF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OFADDICTION MEDICINE, AND DR.ANDREW KOLODNY, COrt-DIRECTOR OFOPIOID POLICY RESEARCH AT THEHELLER SCHOOL AT BRANDEISUNIVERSITY.NICE TO SEE BOTH OF YOU.LET'S START WITH PATIENTS.rtWE HAVE SEEN IN OUR REPORTINGTHAT MANY ARE STEERED AWAY FROMMEDICALLY ASSISTED TREATMENTS.rtHAS THAT BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCEAND WHY WOULD THAT BE?DR. CLARK:rt MOST DO NOT OFFERMEDICATION WHILE THEIR PATIENTSARE INPATIENTS AND OFFERING --OFTEN THEY DO NOT ALLOW IT.rtSUM IS BASED ON STIGMA, SOME ISBASED ON THEIR HISTORICAL NEEDS.WE ARE JUST CONTINUING TO DrtO THETHINGS THAT DO NOT WORK IN THISCOUNTRY INSTEAD OF THE THINGSTHAT DO WORK.SOLEDAD: THE $64,000 QUESTION TOME SEEMS TO BE HEADED HEALTHPROFESSIONALS MISS THISrt EPIDEMICWHICH WAS BLOSSOMING UNDERNEATHTHEM.YESTERDAY I WAS IN THE ER WITH AFRIEND IN A CAB ACCIDENT ANDEVEN SO MANY TIMES SHE WASOFFERErtD OPIOID EVEN KNOW SHESAID HER PAIN WAS A FIVE ON ASCALE OF ONE TO 10.IT WAS HIM WAS AGGRESSIVELY.IT MADE MErt THINK MAYBE THATEXPLAINS WHY WE ARE WHERE WEARE.DR. KOLODNY: THAT IS ABSOLUTELYRIGHT.THE REASON WHY THE U.S.rt ISEXPERIENCING A SEVERE EPIDEMICIS BECAUSE THE MEDICAL COMMUNITYHAS BEEN OVERPRESCRIBING OPIOIDMEDICATION.rtAS PAIN PRESCRIBING WENT UP ITWENT IN PARALLEL WITH ADDICTION.THIS IS CAUSED BYrt THE MEDICALCOMMUNITY WRITING TOO MANYOPIOID PRESCRIPTION.SOLEDAD: DID THEY JUST NOTREALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING.DR. KOLODNY:rt THE REASON WESTARTED TO OVERPRESCRIBING ISTHAT WE WERE RESPONDING TO ABRILLIANT, MULTIFACETED CAMPAIGNLAUNCHED BYrt THE MANUFACTURERS OFOPIOID MEDICINES.DOCTORS BEGINNING IN THE 1990'STHROUGH THE 2000S WERE HEARINGFROM ABOUT EVERYrt DIRECTION THATIF YOU ARE A COMPASSIONATE,CARING DOCTOR YOU UNDERSTANDTHAT OPIOIDS ARE THE RIGHT WAYCOMPLAINING OF PAIN.rtIN WE WERE TOLD THE RISK OFADDICTION WAS VERY LOW.OF COURSE THAT WAS NOT TRUE.SOLEDAD: WHAT WORKS INPREVENTION?rtONE WOULD THINK THOSE SCAREDSTRAIGHT ADS FOR KIDS WOULD BEEFFECTIVE.ARE THEY?DR. CLARK:rt THEY ARE NOT.WE CONTINUE TO DO WHAT DOES NOTWORK.EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS WHERE DRUGSWILL KILL YOU, PLEASE DO NOT DOrtDRUGS, SENDING SOMEONE INTOSCHOOL TO TALK ABOUT THEDANGERS.THAT ACTUALLY INCREASES THECHANCE THAT KIDS USE DRUGS.SOLEDAD: WOW.rtDR. CLARK: SIMILARLY GOINGTHROUGH DETOX OR REHABILITATIONACTUALLY INCREASES THE CHANCETHAT THEY DIE THAN IF THEY HADNOT GONE THROUGH THOSE PROGRAMS.rtWE ARE DOING WHAT WE KNOW DOESNOT WORK INSTEAD OF WHAT WE KNOWDOES WORK.AND HE THINKS IT TO WORK, rtOURCOMMUNITY-BASED RESILIENCY SKILLTRAINING.WE HAVE A PLETHORA, A NUMBER OFTHINGS WORK FOR PREVENTION ANDWE'RE NOT DOING THOSE.WE KNOW THAT THErt MEDICATIONS ARETHE MOST EFFECTIVE TREATMENTS,ONGOING MEDICATION TREATMENT FORKOBE WOULD -- FOR OPIOIDADDICTION.rtWE STILL HAVE TOO MANY TREATMENTPROVIDERS THAT DO NOT ALLOW THATTREATMENT.SOLEDAD: INTERESTING FEEDBACK WEGET FROM PEOPLE WHO SAY SUDDENLYPEOPLE ARE REALLYrt COMPASSIONATEIN THINKING ABOUT HOW TO DO WITHTHIS PROBLEM AND EPIDEMIC WHENTHE BULK OF PEOPLE WHO AREVICTIMS ARE WHITE.AND THAT COMPASSION WAS NOTrtTHERE WHEN YOU WERE TALKINGABOUT THE CRACK EPIDEMIC OR EVENTHE EARLIER HEROIN EPIDEMIC.DR. KOLODNY: THAT ISrt TRUE.HEROIN, CRACK COCAIN, WE GOT AMESSAGE THATrt WE COULD ARREST OURWAY OUT OF THE PROBLEM.WE GOT A WAR ON DRUGS WHICHTRIBUTE TO MASS INCARCERATION.TODAY WHAT WE'RE HEARINGrt FROMPOLICY, EVEN CONSERVATIVEREPUBLICAN POLITICIANS, THEYOFTEN BEGIN BY SAYING WE CANNOTARREST OUR WAY OUT OF IT.WE DID NOT HEAR THAT BACK THEN.rtIT IS GOOD WE ARE HEARING NOWAND IT IS TOO BAD WE DO NOT HEARIT LOOSELY.SOLEDAD: THANK YOU BOTH SO MUCHFOR JOINING ME.STILL AHEAD, HE LOSTrt HIS SON TOA DRUG OVERDOSE.WE WILL MEET A FEDERALPROSECUTOR WHO HAS A PERSONALPERSPECTIVE ON THE CHALLENGES OFTAKING DOWN DEALERS.rtTIFFANY: AND HERE IN PALM BEACHCOUNTY, THERE'S A NEW DETOXPILOT PROGRAM THAT'S THE FIRSTIN THE COUNTRY.MARK: THIS INNOVATIVE IDEA WITHA VErtRY HIGH SUCCESS RATE.YOU'RE WATCHING "MATTER OF FACT-- STATE OF ADDICTION."rtTIFFANY: YOU'VE JUST HEARDSOLEDAD O'BRIEN TALKING ABOUTTHE NATIONWIDE EPIDEMIC, BUTOPIOIDS HAVE THE STATE OFFLORIDA ALSO ADDICTED.rtMARK: THE SUN IS NOT THE ONLYTHING LURING PEOPLE HEREANYMORE.TIFFANY: IT'S A CRISIS TRIGGEREDBY THE EXPLOSION OF PILL MILLS,BUT AFTER THE CLINICS WERErtFORCED TO SHUT DOWN, THOSE PILLSBECAME TOO EXPENSIVE ON THESTREET.SO PEOPLE ARE TURNING TO ACHEAPER HIGH.MARK: OPIOID OVERDOSES IN PALMBEACH COUNTY INCREASED BY MORErtTHAN 300% IN JUST FIVE YEARS.LAST YEAR ALONE, 592 PEOPLEDIED.TIFFANY: WE ARE AT THE EPICENTEROF THIS CRISIS.TAKE FOR EXAMPLE WHAT'SrtHAPPENING IN BOYNTON BEACH.SINCE JANUARY, 420 PEOPLE HAVEOVERDOSED, 47 OF THEM DIED.rt>> MY NAME IS A HAP CROWELL.I'M A SERGEANT WITH BOYNTONPOLICE DEPARTMENT.I'VE BEEN HERE OVER 17 YEARS.WE HAVE MULTIPLE OVERDOSrtES HERE.WE'VE HAD A FEW HERE WHICH USEDIN WE HAVE HAD THEM THERE, TOO.rtTIFFANY: HOW BIG OF A PROBLEM ISTHAT FOR YOU GUYS?>> IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM.A LOT OF ISSUES.WE GET MULTIPLE CALLS PER DAY.rtTIFFANY: WHERE ARE THE CALLSCOMING IN FROM?>> EVERYWHERE.EVERYWHERE.TIFFANY: IT DIDN'T TAKE LONGBEFORE WrtE HEARD THE FIRSTOVERDOSE CALL OF THE DAY.>> ON GATEWAY.TIFFANY: PARAMEDICS RUSH THE MANTO THE HOSPITAL.rtLEFT BEHIND FROM INSIDE HISPOCKET.OH MY GOSH.>> A LITTLE PLASTIC KIT WITHA USED SYRIrtNGE AND SPOON WITHHEROIN RESIDUE ON IT.HE HAD HIS LIGHTER.TIFFrtANY: IT'S 1:00 ON A MONDAYAFTERNOON AT A VERY POPULARSHOPPING PLAZA.AND HE'S OUT HERE PASSED OUT.YOU SEE THIS A LOT?>> TOO OFTrtEN.WAY TOO OFTEN.IT'S VERY SAD.TIFFANY: WHO'S THE AVERAGEVICTIM?rt>> THE MAJORITY OF OVERDOSES AREKIDS WHO HAVE COME DOWN HERE FORREHAB.THERE ARE A LOT OF SOBER HOMESBACK IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD.THERE ARE A rtLOT OF SOBER HOMESEVERYWHERE.TIFFANY: POLICE HAVE HAD TOREQUEST MORE DOSES OF ALIFE-SAVING DRUG THAT COULDrtREADERS -- CAN REVERSE THEEFFECTS OF AN OVERDOSE.I MEAN, ISN'T THAT SO TELLING?>> YOU'D THINK SO.WE NEED TO FIND A BETTER WAY TOCOMBAT THE PROBLEM.rtTIFFANY: CRACKING DOWN ON THEDEALERS IS PART OF THE PLAN.WE ROLLED UP MOMENTS AFTER AHEROIN BUST TURNED VIOLENT.>> WE WENT TO DO A TAKEDOWN ONTHE rtVEHICLE AND HE BACKED UP,COLLIDED WITH UNMARKED VEHICLEAND DECIDED TO GO FORWARD.TIFFANY: THE SUSPECT RAMMINGTHIS K-9 OFFICER'S SUV.rtYOU ARE PHYSICALLY OK?>> YES.TIFFANY: BUT THAT HAD TO PRETTYSCARY FOR A MOMENT.>> YEAH IT'S NOT EVERYDAY YOUrtGET RAMMED AND SIDESWIPED BY ACRIMINAL AND THEN FORCED INTO AWALL.ALL FOR A COUPLE DOLLARS OFHEROIN.rtTIFFANY: THREE HOURS LATER,ANOTHER CALL.A 21-YEAR-OLD FOUND BY HERBOYFRIEND IN THE SHOWER PASSEDOUT.THERrtE SHE IS.>> HERE SHE IS COMING OUT TOAMBULANCE.THERE YOU GO.TIFFANY: OH MY GOSH.>> YUP, THAT DOES NOT LOOKPROMISING.TIFFANY: WHAT DI THEY TELL YOU?rt>> OVERDOSE.DEFINITE OVERDOSE.SHE SHOT UP ABOUT AN HOUR AGO.IT'S UNFORTUNATE.SHE'S PROBABLY A GOOD KID.SHE'S PROBrtABLY A GOOD GIRL, BUTTHIS DRUG WHEN IT GETS YOU ITS'S TERRIBLE WHAT IT DOES TOTHESE KIDS.THEY ARE HERE FROM HALFWAYHOUSE.rtJUST LEFT HALFWAY HOUSE.GOING TO GO TO REHAB, AND THENYOU GET THIS.SO HE SAYS TOMORROW IS THE DAY.TOMORROW IS THE DAY THEY ARErtGETTING INTO REHAB.THE HALFWAY HOUSE.WE WILL SEE.WITH ANY LUCK THEY WILL MAKE ITTHERE.OK.rtAND THAT ENDS ANOTHER DAY INPARADISE.WELCOME TO SOUTH FLORIDA.THIS IS IT.TIFFANY: ANOTHER SHIFT OVER.rt>> ANOTHER ONE ALMOST OVER.WE ARE PRETTY CLOSE.TIFFANY: THIS INSIDE LOOK IS ANEXAMPLE OF HOW TAXING OVERDOSErtCALLS ARE ON CITY AND COUNTYRESOURCES.MARK: THEY CERTAINLY ARE.AFTER GETTING A LIFE-SAVING DOSEOF NARCAN, PATIENTS OFTEN END UPrtBACK ON THE STREETS USING AGAIN.BUT THERE IS HOPE.PALM BEACH COUNTY HAS A NEWDETOX PROGRAM AT JFK MEDICALCENTER FOLLOWING AN EMERGENCYROOM VISIT.rtHERE IS HOW IT WORKS.PARAMEDICS AND A COUNSELOR MAYMEET WITH THE PATIENT.THEY GIVE A DAILY DOSE OFBUPRENORPHINE FOR WITHDRAWALS.rtTHEY ALSO SET UP HOUSING, A JOB,TRANSPORTATION, OR JUST SOMEONETO TALK TO.rtAND JFK MEDICAL THEN MONITORSTHAT PATIENT FOR MONTHS.>> WE ALL CAME TOGETHER.AND WE CAME TOGETHER WITH THECOMMON GOAL THAT WE'RE GOING TOTAKE CARE OF THESE PATIENTS,rtWE'RE GOING TO TREAT THEM WITHRESPECT, WE'RE NOT GOING TO HOLDJUDGMENT ON THEM.AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO PUT THEMINTO A CATEGORY OF BEING ANADDICT.I HArtVE BEEN DOING EMS FOR 30YEARS, AND THIS IS BY FAR THEMOST REWARDING THING I HAVE EVERSEEN IN MY CAREER.MARK: DR. MARC SCHLOSSER, WHOrtMONITORS THOSE PATIENTS, SAYSOPIOID ADDICTION IS NOW BEINGTREATED AS A CHRONIC DISEASELIKE DIABETES.>> ADDICTION IS A VERYCOMPLICATED DISErtASE.THE BIOLOGY OF IT IS THE OPIOIDSKINDrt OF HIJACK THE BRAIN, ANDSOME OF THE PATHWAYS.THE MORE COMPLICATED PART OFADDICTION IS THAT IT ALSO HASTHE PSYCHO AND SOCIAL COMPONENT.rtSO, PATIENTS REALLY NEED THECOUNSELING AND THERAPY IN ORDERTO ACHIEVE LONG-TERM SOBRIETY.rtMARK: AFTER A FEW MONTHS, THEPROGRAM HAS MORE THAN A 60%SUCCESS RATE.TIFFANY: IT IS VERY HOPEFUL.MARK: CERTAINLY IS.rtTIFFANY: SOLEDAD?SOLEDAD: STILL AHEAD FROMWASHINGTON, WE CREATE A NATIONALAGENDA FOR ACTION.POLICY MAKERS PUT THEIRSOLUTIONS ON THE TABLE.rtrt>> THIS IS A SPECIAL PROGRAM OFHEARST TELEVISION PRESENTED BYFUTURES OF PALM BEACH.rtRIGHT NOW, "MATTER OF FACT --STATE OF ADDICTION."MARK:rt WELCOME BACK.THIS SUMMER, THE GOVERNOR SIGNEDA NEW BILL THAT WILL ALLOW STATEPROSECUTORS TO CHARGE DRUGDEALERS WITH MURDER IF SOMEONEHAS A FATAL OVERDOSE.TIFFANY: THAT LAW rtGOES INTOEFFECT OCTOBER 1. MARK: BUT SOME PROSECUTORS AREALREADY GETTING TOUGH BYCHARGING DRUG DEALERS WITHATTEMPTED MURDER.TIFFANY: IT'S A MOVE MANYFAMILIES ARE HOPEFUL WILL CHANGETHE COURSE OF THIS EPIDEMIC.rt>> THIS IS A CARD FROM KYLE FORMY LAST FATHER'S DAY.TIFFANY: WHEN CURT AND DEBBIEBROOME TALK ABOUT THEIR SONKYLE, THE PAIN IS STILL SO DrtEEP.>> IT DOES FEEL LIKE ANIGHTMARE.>> I WOULD SAY AROUND 20 IS WHENrtIT GOT THE WORST.>> REALLY BAD.TIFFANY: KYLE STRUGGLED FORYEARS WITH DRUG ABUSE.AN ARREST FORCED HIM TO GETCLEAN.rt>> WHEN HE GOT OF OUT JAIL ONJULY 12, HE WAS LOOKING FORWARDTO THE FUTURE.rt>> YES.AS SOON AS HE GOT OUT PEOPLESTARTED CALLING AND HIS WHOLEPLAN WHEN OUT THE WINDOW.TIFFANY: WITHIN A WEEK OFGETTING OUT OF JAIL IN MARTINCOUNTY, KYLE WAS DEAD.rt>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE WILLSTOP SELLING THIS STUFF UNLESSTHEY ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FORTHEIR ACTIONS.THEY ARE SELLING DEADLY DRUGSAND I FELL THAT HE SHOULD BEHELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIRrtACTIONS.TIFFANY: THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT STLUCIE COUNTY SHERIFF KEN MASCARAIS DOING.YOU'VE SEEN THE NUMBER OFOVERDOSES THIS YEAR GO UP.>>rt BY ALL MEANS.TIFFANY: LAST MONTH, REBECCAMIGGINS, A 32-YEAR-OLD FORTPIERCE WOMAN, WAS CHARGED WITHATTEMPTED MURDER.WHAT WAS IT ABOUT THECIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS OVERDOSErtTHAT LED TO HER ARREST?>> WE HAD A VICTIM WHOCOOPERATED.THE -- GIVING US THE DETAILSLEADING UP TO HIS OVERDOSE.rtWE HAD A WITNESS WHOCORROBORATED THE VICTIM'STESTIMONY.rtAND THEN WE HAD A THE DEALER WHOCONFESSED TO THE ENTIREINCIDENT.TIFFANY: ACCORDING TOINVESTIGATORS, THE OVERDOSEVICTIM WENrtT TO THE BEACHFRONTINN ON SOUTH OCEAN DRIVE AND METUP WITH MIGGINS.THE VICTIM SAID MIGGINS TOLD HIMTHE DRUG SHE GAVE HIM WASHEROIN.INSTEAD, IT WAS THE POWERFUL ANDDEADLY OPIOID, FrtENTANYL.>> AFTER HE INJECTED IT SHESAID, YOU KNOW, THIS IS PRETTYPOTENT STUFF.SHE WITNESSED HIS REACTION WHICHrtWAS TO FALL INTO A SEMICONSCIOUS STATE.THEN SHE LEFT HIM THERE WITHOUTSEEKING ANY HELP.THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WErtCHARGED ATTEMPTED MURDER ON ADEALING THAT RESULTED IN ANOVERDOSE.BUT I THINK NOW THAT WE HAVEDONE IT OTHER AGENCIES GOING TOLOOK TO DO THAT.>> WANT rtTO GO FOR A WALK, BABY?TIFFANY: NO ONE HAS BEENARRESTED IN KYLE'S CASE, BUT THEBROOME'S REMAIN HOPEFUL THATGETTING TOUGH ON DRUG DEALERSrtWILL IN THE END HELP THOSE WHOARE STILL BATTLING THIS DEADLYDISEASE.>> I THINK UNLESS THEY STARTrtGIVING OUT MORE TIME AND LEAN --AND BEING MORE STERN WITH DRUGPUSHES, IT'S NOT GOING TO END.>> I THINK THIS SENDS A GREATMESSAGE TO DEALERS.IF YOU ARE DEALING WITH OPIATESrtOR ANYTHING THAT MIGHT LEAD TO ADEATH, WE ARE PUTTING YOU IN OURSIGHTS.TIFFANY: TO BE CLEAR, THE LAW TOCHARGE DRUG DEALERS WITH MURDERrtDOESN'T GO INTO EFFECT UNTILOCTOBER 1. BUT PROSECUTORS CAN CHARGE AS INTHIS CASE ATTEMPTED MURDERBECAUSE INVESTIGATORS SAY THEEVIDENCE SUPPORTED THAT CHARGE.MARK: CRIMINALS ARE TAKINGADVANTAGE OF PEOPLE ADDICTED TOrtOPIOIDS, RUNNING SOBER HOMESTRYING TO BILK INSURANCECOMPANIES.LAW ENFORCEMENT IS STARTING TOGAIN SOME TRACTION BY RAIDINGrtTHESE MONEY MAKING ENTERPRISES.TIFFANY: I TALKED WITH THE MANBEHIND THESE RAIDS, PALM BEACHCOUNTY STATE ATTORNEY DAVEARONBERG.HE DESCRIBES THE EPIDEMIC AS THENUMBER ONE CRIMINAL JUSTICEISSUE FACING PALM BEACH COUNTY.rtTHE ABUSE HAPPENING IN THETREATMENT INDUSTRY WITH PEOPLEOPENING UP THESE SOBER HOMES.ARONBERG SAYS TOO rtMANY SOBERHOMES HAVE BECOME NOTHING MORETHAN FLOP HOUSES.>> WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PAYINGFOR PATIENTS.WE ARE TALrtKING ABOUT KICKBACKSFOR PATIENTS.AND IN THE END TAXPAYERS LOSEBECAUSE WE PAY HIGHER INSURANCERATES BECAUSE OF IT.THE INDIVIDUAL WITH SUBSTANCErtABUSE ORDERS LOSE BECAUSE THEYARE IN AN UNENDING CYCLE OFRELAPSE AS OPPOSED TO RECOVERY,AND THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY LOSESBECAUSE THE GOODrt PAYERS CAN'TCOMPETE WITH BAD GUYS WHO AREPAYING FOR PATIENTS ILLEGALLY.TIFFANY: THE COUNTY'S SOBER HOMETASK FORCE HAS LED TO THE ARRESTOF 34 PEOPLE.BUT ARONBERG SAYS THERE IS STILLA LOT OF WORK TO DO.rtSOLEDAD: NEXT, DRUG CARTELS ANDDEALERS SEVERAL STEPS AHEAD OFLAW ENFORCEMENT.>> OUR LABS ARE SEEING TWO ORrtTHREE NEW SUBSTANCES A MONTH.SOLEDAD: CAN WE GET AHEAD OF THEBAD GUYS?rtrtrt>> OFFICERS TRIED TO STOP AWOMAN FROM STARTING A HIGH-SPEEDCHASE.rtIT ENDED WITH THE OFFICERSBRINGING THE OVERDOSING DRIVERBACK TO LIFE.>> FIRrtST RESPONDERS TREATED WITHNARCAN AND RUSHED TO THEHOSPITAL.THIS SCENE IS REPEATED OVER ANDOVER EACH DAY.>> POLICE SAY THE SUSPECT MADEALL OF THE DEALS OUT OF HISrtHOUSE, WHERE HE LIVES WITH HISTHREE KIDS.>> THAT IS A LITTLE DISTURBING.SOLEDAD: ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ARUSH TO SAVE LIVES AND CUT OFFAN INFLUX OF ILLICIT DRUGS.rtNEARLY ALL HEROIN IS SMUGGLEDINTO THE UNITED STATES.MOST SYNTHETIC DRUGS, LIKEFENTrtANYL, SHIP FROM CHINA.AND NOW, DEALERS MAKING FENTANYLHERE IN THE UNITED STATES.TAKE A LOOK AT THIS -- BOXESTHAT HOLD A KEY INGREDIENT TOMAKE FENTANYL SEIZED FROM AMASSACHUSETTS STORAGE UNIT THISSUMMER.rt110 POUNDS OF THE INGREDIENT ISENOUGH TO MAKE 19 MILLIONFENTANYL TABLETS, WORTH MORETHAN $500 MILLION.rtNIKOLE KILLION HAS OUR REPORTON THE STRUGGLE TO CUT OFF THESUPPLY.rt>> I FIRST GOT INVOLVED WHEN IWAS A FIRST YEAR MEMBER OFCONGRESS.A CONSTITUENT CAME TO SEE ME WHOrtLIVED NEAR ME BACK HOME.HER SON HAD JUST DIED OF ANOVERDOSE.NIKOLE: A DECADES-LONG BATTLEAGAINST OPIOID ADDICTION ISPERSONAL FOR OHIO SENATOR ROBPORTMAN.rt>> ALMOST EVERY WEEK, I FIND OUTABOUT SOMEBODY.NIKOLE: HIS STATE, NUMBER FOURIN THE NATION FOR DRUG OVERDOSEDEATHS ACCORDING TO THE CENTERSFOR DISEASE CONTROL.rt>> OHIO WAS HARDER HIT THAN MOSTSTATES.BUT EVERY SINGLE CITY, EVERYrtSINGLE STATE IN THIS COUNTRY HASBEEN HIT.NIKOLE: ENTER THE DEA, THE DRUGENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION, THECOMBAT FORCE IN THE NATION'S WARAGAINST DRUGS.WHAT KEEPS YOU UP AT NIGHT?rt>> LOTS OF THINGS KEEP ME UP ATNIGHT.NIKOLE: CHUCK ROSENBERG IS THEACTING ADMINISTRATOR.>> WE HAVE TO ENFORCE THE LAW,WHICH MEANS STOPPING THE BIGGESTAND MOST DANGEROUS CARTELS ANDrtTHE BIGGEST AND MOST DANGEROUSSTREET GANGS.WE ALSO HAVE TO REGULATE OURPIECE OF THE INDUSTRY AND REDUCEDEMAND.rtNIKOLE: BUT WITH ONLY 4600SPECIAL AGENTS, IT IS ACHALLENGE.COMPARE THAT NUMBER TO THENEARLY 36,000 UNIFORMED MEMBERSOF THE NEW YORK CITY POLICErtDEPARTMENT.>> THE NOTION THAT THE DEA ALONEBY ITSELF IS GOING TO BE ABLE TOrtSTOP ALL OF THIS IS FANTASY.WE NEED HELP.NIKOLE: IN JULY, THE AGENCY SHUTDOWN TWO MAJOR ONLINEBLACK-MARKET OPIOID SErtLLERS, BUTTHEY KNOW NEW SOURCES WILLEMERGE.DO YOU THINK THEY HAVE ENOUGHRESOURCES TO DO THEIR JOB?>> WELL, WE WILL SEE.rtNIKOLE: CONGRESSMAN GREG WALDENCHAIRS THE HOUSE CAREERS --COMMERCE COMMITTEE.INVESTIGATING WHETHER THE AGENCYFAILED TO PROSECUTE QUESTIONABLEMANUFACTURERS, PHARMACIES, ANDrtDOCTORS.>> WHO ARE THEY INVESTIGATINGHOW ARE THEY GOING AFTER THISrt,HOW DO THEY HAVE THESE PILLMILLS?WHAT ARE THEY DOING TO GO AFTERSOMETHING LIKE THAT?NIKOLE: AS FOR SENATORrt PORTMAN,HE IS PUSHING A BILL THATREQUIRES THE POSTAL SERVICE TOBETTER MONITOR OVERSEASPACKAGES, A MASSIVE PIPELINE FORPOTENT SYNTHETIC DRUGS.>> MOST OF THAT IS COMING FROMCHINA.rtWE KNOW THE USE THE U.S. MAILSYSTEM.NIKOLE: HE'S HOPING FOR PASSAGEBY YEAR-END DESPITE COMPETINGPRIORITIES LIKE DISASTER RELIEFrtAND TAX AND IMMIGRATION REFORM.>> THIS IS A TRUE EMERGENCY, BUTIT DOESN'T MEAN WE CAN WALK ANDCHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME.I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP.NIKOLE: IN WASHINGTON, I'MNIKOLE KILLION.rtSOLEDAD: THE TOUGH JOB OFPROSECUTING DRUG OFFENDERS FALLSTO FEDERAL PROSECUTORS LIKEBRUCE BRANDLER.HE IrtS A U.S. ATTORNEY FOR THEMIDDLE DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA.HE ALSO LOST HIS SON, ERIC, TO AHEROIN OVERDOSE 10 YEARS AGO.rtNICE TO HAVE YOU WITH US.WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBERS ASNIKOLE LAID OUT IN HERrt PIECE, ITFEELS LIKE THE DEA IS WILDLYOVERMATCHED.ARE THEY?MR. BRANDLER: I DON'T THINK THEPICTURE IS AS BLEAK AS WASPAINTED.rtTHERE ARE HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDSOF DEDICATED LAW ENFORCEMENTAGENTS FIGHTING THIS BATTLEEVERY DAY IN THE TRENCHES ANDTHEYrt DO AN EFFECTIVE AND GOODJOB OF INCARCERATING DRUGDEALERS.OF COURSE WE COULD USE MORERESOURCES, WE COULD USE MORErtPROSECUTORS AND MORE DEA AGENTS.BUT WE ARE DOING AN EFFECTIVEJOB INCARCERATING THE PEOPLE WEDO CATCH.SOLEDAD: THE PEOPLE YOU ARErtCATCHING, ARE THEY ESSENTIALLYADDICTS GETTING CAUGHT UP IN THESYSTEM?MR. BRANDLER: ABSOLUTELY NOT.THAT IS A REAL MISCONCEPTION.rtTHE PEOPLE WE ARE PROSECUTINGFEDERAL COURT ARE VIOLENTCRIMINALS WHO HAVE BEEN CAUGHTPREVIOUSLY SELLING DRUGS AND ARESELLING HIGH VOLUMES OF DRUGS.rtTHESE ARE NOT LOW LEVEL ATTICSWHERE JUST SELLING TO SUPPORTTHEIR OWN HABITS.SOLEDAD: CAN YOU ARREST YOUR WAYOUTrt OF A PROBLEM AS BIG AS THISEPIDEMIC HAS BECOME?MR. BRANDLER: NO, WE ALLRECOGNIZE THE LAW ENFORCEMENTrtCOMMUNITY CANNOT ARREST OUR WAYOUT OF THIS PROBLEM.THAT IS WHY THE DEPARTMENT OFJUSTICE HAS A THREE-PARTSTRATEGY TO COMBAT THE OPIOIDEPIDEMIC INTO DEALS WITHPREVrtENTION, ENFORCEMENT, ANDTREATMENT.ENFORCEMENT IS OBVIOUSLY THEMOST IMPORTANT PART BECAUSEPROSECUTORS NEED TO PROSECUTEAGGRESSIVELYrt ANYONE THAT WECATCH.AND WE HAVE A ZERO-TOLERANCEPOLICY FOR PEOPLE WHO WERECAUGHT DEALING HEROIN.SOLEDAD:rt YOU MENTIONED YOUR SONDIED ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO BUT ITWAS ONLY IN MAYBE THE LAST 1.5YEARS HE STARTED TELLING PEOPLE.HAS IT CHANGED AT ALL HOWrt YOUTHINK ABOUT PROSECUTION?MR. BRANDLER: I DON'T THINK SO.THERE ARE MANY DEDICATEDPROSECUTORS OUT THERE DOINGEXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING INrtFIGHTING THIS BATTLE ON ADAY-TO-DAY FRONT DOING THE BESTTHEY CAN.I CAME OUT IN PUBLIC WITH MYSITUATION BECAUSE I WANTED TOrtRAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND TAKEAWAY SOME OF THE STIGMA ANDSHAME THAT MAY BE ASSOCIATEDWITH THE OPIOID ADDICTION.IF ITrt CAN HAPPEN TO ME AS AFEDERAL PROSECUTOR IT COULDBASICALLY HAPPEN TO ANYONE.SOLEDAD: THAT IS A GOOD MESSAGETO SHARE.THANK YOU, WE APPRECIATE IT.UP NEXT, WrtE CONTINUE OURCONVERSATIONS ABOUT FIGHTINGTHIS EPIDEMIC.CAN OUR GOVERNMENT DELIVER THEHELP THAT IS NEEDED?rt♪SOLEDAD: WE'RE TALKING ABOUTWAYS TO RESPOND TO AMERICA'SOPIOID CRISIS, AND WE'LL PICK UPTHAT CONVERSATIOrtN IN A MOMENT.BUT FIRST I WANT TO THANKEVERYBODY HELPING BUILD OURONLINE WALL OF REMEMBRANCE USING#STATEOFADDICTION.HERE'S A POST THAT WE WANT TOrtSHARE WITH YOU, A STORY OF HOPEFROM BOSTON.RECOVERY ISrt POSSIBLE, IT IS AGREAT ACHIEVEMENT FOR ABEAUTIFUL LIFE.THAT'S A NICE ONE.EVERYONE ON OUR PROGRAM TONIGHTHAS BEEN TOUCHED IN SOME MANNERBY THE OPIOID CRISIS.rtSO WHAT SHOULD BE THE NATIONALRESPONSE?WISCONSIN SENATOR RON JOHNSON,REPUBLICAN CHAIRMAN OF THEHOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENTAFFAIRS COMMITTEE, HrtE ALSO LOSTA NEPHEW TO OPIOIDS.NICE TO HAVE YOU, SENATOR.WHAT COULD THE GOVERNMENT DOBETTERrt RIGHT NOW TO HELP PEOPLEBECAUSE I AM SURE YOU HEAR FROMSO MANY PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.SEN.rt JOHNSON: WE SPEND ABOUT $14BILLION ON TREATMENT.YOU HAVE SUPPLYING ADDICTION,YOU HAVErt TREATMENT, YOU HAVEREDUCTION OF DEMAND.IT WILL BE FAR BETTER IF WECOULD REDUCE DEMAND, DO AS WEHAVE DONErt WITH THE BACK OF HAVEDRAMATICALLY REDUCED DEMAND FORTOBACCO PRODUCTS.WE NEED TO DO THE SAME THINGWITH DRUGS BUT THAT WILLPROBABLYrt TAKE MULTI-DECADES.JUST A CULTURAL SHIFT.THERE IS NOTHING GLAMOROUS ABOUTGETTING ADDICTED TO DRUGS ANDDYING INrt SQUALOR IN DESTROYINGYOUR FAMILY'S LIFE.THERE IS NOTHING GOOD ABOUTTHAT.SOLEDAD: THErt PRESIDENT SAID HEWANTED TO COLLECT A STATE OFEMERGENCY, BUT HE ACTUALLY HASTO SIGN AND THEN SEND OFF TOCONGRESS THAT DECLARATION.rtDO YOU THINK THERE IS ANYINDICATION HE WON'T?SEN. JOHNSON: IT IS A STATE OFEMERGENCY.YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVErt APRESIDENT SIGN THAT.SOLEDAD: BUT IT RELEASES FUNDS.SEN. JOHNSON: WE SPEND PLENTY OFMONEY.WE HAVE TO SPEND IT SMARTER.rtWE HAVE TO FOCUS ON WHAT WORKS.11 EARLIER GUEST ON TALKINGABOUT WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOESNOT WORK.LET'S DO MORE RESEARCH.IN BUSINESS THAT'Srt EXACTLY THEAPPROACH YOU USE.WHAT'S THE BEST PRACTICE.YOU KEEP PUSHING THE ENVELOPE,TRYING TO FIND BETTER AND BETTERTREATMENTS.rtSOLEDAD: DO YOU THINK INSURANCECOMPANIES COULD DO MORE?OFTEN YOU WILL HEAR FROM PEOPLEWHO ARE OVERWHELMED BY THE FACTTHrtEY CANNOT GET THE KID IN REHABANY KIND OF INSURANCE COVERAGEOR IT ONLY COVERS CERTAIN THINGSAND THAT LOCKS THEIR ABILITY TOHAVErt FLEXIBILITY IN TREATMENT.SEN. JOHNSON: INSURANCETREATMENTS ARE MONEYMAKINGORGANIZATIONS.I THINK THEY COULD ACTUALLrtY PUSHTHE BEST PRACTICES.HEALTHY RESEARCH, FUNDED.IT WOULD SAVE THEM MONEY ANDALSO DO BETTER FOR THE AMERICANPUBLICrt ACTUALLY -- IF WE HADSOLEDAD: WHAT DO YOU PAL --SOLEDAD:rt IT IS HEARTBREAKINGWHEN YOU SEE THIS WALL OFREMEMBRANCE.SO MANY PEOPLE.AND THE VICTIMS ARE SO YOUNGACROSS THE BOARD.SEN. JOHNSON: OFTENTIMES WErt HAVEMIDDLE SCHOOL OR HIGH SCHOOLSTUDENTS VISIT US.EVER SINCE I HAVE GOTTENINVOLVED IN THIS,rt EVER SINCEI'VE TALKING TO PARENTS WHO LOSTHER KIDS THERE IS NO GROUP OFCHILDREN I HAVE TALKED TO -- IWAALWAYS SAY DON'T DOrt DRUGS.A LOT OF TIMES YOU GET SNICKERS.WHEN I TOLD THEM ABOUT MYNEPHEW.rtIF YOU CARE ANYTHING ABOUT YOURPARENTS OR YOUR BROTHERS ORSISTERS OR GRANDPARENTS, IF YOUDON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR OWN LIFE,THINK ABOUT THEM BECAUSE YOUWILL RUIN YOUR LIFE BY TAKINGDRUGS.rtSO JUST DON'T DO DRUGS.SOLEDAD: NICE TO HAVE YOU WITHUS.AND THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU WHOJOrtINED US THIS EVENING TO HELPUS CREATE A NATIONAL AGENDA TOCOMBAT THE OPIOID CRISIS.AS WE CLOSE WANT TO TAKE SOMETIME TO REMEMBER MEMBERS OF OUROWN HEARST TELEVISION FAMILY WHOrtHAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO THISOPIOID EPIDEMIC.WE RECOGNIZE THE LOSS SO MANY OFYOU AT HOME HAVE FACED BECAUSEWE HAVE EXrtPERIENCED ITOURSELVES.OUR COLLEAGUES, AND THEIROPENNESS ANDrt THEIR COURAGETHROUGHOUT THIS CRISIS HASREALLY SERVED AS AN INSPIRATIONFOR OUR EFFORTS TONIGHT.AND WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO KNOWTHAT OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THEMAND WITH ALL OF YOU.FROM THE NEWSEUM IN WASHINGTON,rtD.C., I'M SOLEDAD O'BRIEN.MARK: AND I'M MARK KELLY WITHTIFFANY KENNEY.TIFFANY: THANK YOU FOR WATCHINGOUR SPECIAL DEDICATED TO HELPINGCOMBAT THE OPIOID CRISIS.[CAPTIONING PERFORMED BY THENATIONAL CAPTIONING INSTITUTE,WHICH IS RESPONSIBLE FrtOR ITSCAPTION CONTENT AND ACCURACY.VISIT NCICAP.ORG]

'Matter of Fact: State of Addiction' special

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Updated: 9:37 AM EDT Sep 21, 2017

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WPBF) —

To help focus attention on the crisis, WPBF 25 and its parent Hearst Television aired a live primetime one-hour special across its station group Wednesday night to address America’s opioid epidemic.

The special, “Matter of Fact: State of Addiction,” is part of a year-long multi-platform news and investigative series, supplemented with community-based efforts, that Hearst Television launched in January 2017 to inform local audiences of the opioid crisis and efforts to develop solutions.